Scranton City Council on Thursday preliminarily approved the city's hiring of the Abrahamsen, Conaboy & Abrahamsen law firm as special labor counsel for four years.

Council voted 4-0, with President Bob McGoff, Pat Rogan, Joe Wechsler and Bill Gaughan in favor, and Councilman Jack Loscombe absent, to introduce a resolution approving Mayor Bill Courtright's hiring of the Scranton law firm.

The city last month issued a public notice for proposals for legal services for all labor and employment matters. The Abrahamsen firm was among seven that submitted proposals. City solicitor Jason Shrive determined that the Abrahamsen firm was the lowest responsible bidder.

Attorney Edwin "Ned" Abrahamsen, who will be the attorney from his firm primarily serving as special labor counsel, has extensive experience in labor matters, including having served as the city's special labor counsel from 1992-2002, according to his proposal.

Some residents questioned the selection of Mr. Abrahamsen's firm for special labor counsel because he was co-chairman of Mr. Courtright's post-election transition team and a top contributor to Mr. Courtright's mayoral campaign. Mr. Abrahamsen donated $14,000 to Mr. Courtright's campaign, according to campaign finance records.

Resident Fay Franus told council the mayor was "taking care of his friends," while Doug Miller called the selection "cronyism."

However, Mr. McGoff disagreed and said, "It is within the purview of the mayor and administration to choose the service that they feel is best for the city, and (with the Abrahamsen firm) being the low bidder, I believe that they've made a wise decision."

The city last hired a special labor counsel in 2008 under a three-year contract, and a 2010 ordinance requires such professional services to be put out to bid if the amount is expected to be above a certain threshold.

Prospective attorneys bidding for special labor counsel had to have at least 15 years of experience in all facets of labor and employment law, as well as demonstrated experience in municipal law, Act 111 arbitration law, grievance and interest arbitration, appellate court practice, the state Municipalities Financial Recovery Act and knowledge of the workings and functions of local and state governments, according to the city's request for proposals.

In other matters:

n Council tabled a second reading of an ordinance that would change the zoning of the former John Audubon Elementary School to benefit Geisinger Community Medical Center, which is buying the school across Mulberry Street from the hospital. The ordinance was tabled at the request of the city's Law Department, which is amending the ordinance and needs to receive input from the county and city planning departments, Mr. McGoff said.

n Council voted 4-0 to adopt a resolution approving the mayor's appointment of Tim Perry to succeed Peter Riebe on the Scranton Redevelopment Authority. Mr. Perry's term on the redevelopment authority will expire Feb. 4, 2015. In a council caucus before the regular meeting, council solicitor Amil Minora said the authority apparently still questions whether Mr. Riebe's term had actually expired on Feb. 4. Mr. Minora said Mr. Shrive determined Mr. Riebe's term has expired, clearing the way for Mr. Courtright's appointment of Mr. Perry. Mr. Minora said there was no reason for council to not vote on the Perry resolution.

n Council voted 4-0 to adopt a resolution approving the mayor's appointment of Emanuel Johnson of Scranton Street to a five-year term on the Municipal Recreation Authority. Mr. Johnson succeeds Carol Oleski, whose term expired Dec. 31. Mr. Johnson's term will expire on Dec. 31, 2018.

n Mr. Rogan noted council will hold a public caucus on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. on state Senate Bill 76, which would reform property taxes. The caucus will include speakers Kim Skumanick, president of the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors, Wayne Evans of the Greater Scranton Board of Realtors and Chuck Liedike of Real Reform 76, a group promoting the bill.

n Noting another big snowstorm is forecast for Sunday into Monday, Mr. Gaughan said that if the storm is a big one, the city should implement a snow emergency with parking banned downtown, as well as perhaps free or reduced parking in the city's parking garages, to clear vehicles from streets so the DPW can more efficiently remove snow.

n Mr. McGoff said the Fire Department is working on preparing an application to renew in 2015 a federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant to help pay firefighter salaries.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Mr. Gaughan said the city should implement a snow emergency with odd-even parking. In fact, he said parking should be banned downtown, as well as perhaps free or reduced parking in the city's parking garages to clear vehicles from streets so the DPW can more efficiently remove snow.

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